Why Respect the UN? The President and Israel Sure Don't

All wars eventually come to an end. In retrospect, history looks back on such events and, depending on the influence of the winner, casts a critical eye over the situation. In retrospect, things may not have totally gone down exactly as we've been taught in the past (Like FDR allowing the Japanese to hit Pearl Harbor - oh yes, it's true) as the victors write the books. But I cannot help thinking that is going to change in the future. Thanks predominately to the internet, people have the choice of up close, up to the minute news from every possible angle. Like television brought people to Vietnam and later Iraq, the internet, with its blogs, streaming video and world wide inner connections (minus India). When the dust settles on this Israel/Lebanon conflict, and if it ever settles, will anyone be able to convince the world that Israel was justified and that those big bad terrorists in Lebanon had it coming? Maybe the usual sheeple, but really, anyone with half an eye open has the ability to see through the smoke screen and bullshit and look at reality and how it's really forming up.

Perhaps the biggest news that no one is really doing anything about is the bombing of the UN outpost by Israel, killing four UN workers. Here's one of the first stories posted about it. Fair enough, everyone makes mistakes and accidents happen in warzones, says Israel, and man, the UN was pretty freaked out by the apparently deliberate attack, which of course pissed off Israel. But wait, as reports began to come out, frightening news began circulating. First, the idea that the UN had witnessed first hand the attocities Israel was committing, and Israel would have no part of that. (Story here, about 10 articles down as of now). It is confirmed the UN was placed there predominately to watch the situation develop. Then the BBC reported that UN officials contacted Israel TEN TIMES, informing them of their position and each time informed by Israel that firing would stop. But hey, you might say, such requests go through a military liason, and well, sometimes those reports never make it back to the home base. Hell, Israel must believe that, as they demanded an apology from Koffi. Here's a quick time line, from CNN, just to show the pace as things officially went down:

• - The first bomb exploded about 200 yards from the U.N. outpost at 1:20 p.m. Tuesday. The UN quickly called their designated contact with the Israeli military. They were assured by the Israeli liaison that the attacks would stop.
• - A series of about nine more bombs hit within 100 to 400 yards from the observers over the next several hours. As each bomb fell, it was immediately followed up with a call to the Israeli military. The same response was given each time.
  
• - The U.N. base at Noqoura lost contact with the outpost at 7:40 p.m., apparently the time of the direct hit. It was later confirmed that four UN peacekeepers - representing Austria, Finland, Canada and China - were all killed in the attack.

Now I'd like to point out any argument in defense of Israel completely fails because of the weapons used. The outpost was apparently hit by a laser guided missle. For those of you unaware, for a weapon of such precision to hit its target, the area must be 'painted' by a laser so that the bomb homes in on a target. Basically, Israel pointed a laser at the outpost - CLEARLY marked in blue and white, while flying the UN flag - and guided an accurate, deadly weapon to explode upon it.

For those of you who just cannot fathom why such a 'poor, innocent, only defending itself country like Israel would do such a thing, consider for a moment the growing reports they're using very deadly and VERY illegal weapons, and committing war crimes. Be warned when you watch this clip, as it's graphic and depicts proof of what everyone is claiming. Among other reasons, there is strong speculation the UN could have or did witness something very illegal on the border, and they were taken out. (And for more proof, check this out. I have no words...)

And the response you say? Well, obvious Koffi and the UN condemned Israel. As did China, and they were mighty pissed at the loss of one of their people and the bullshit air strike:

China's state-run news agency -- Xinhau -- said Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun called in Israeli Ambassador Yehoyada Haim Wednesday morning to discuss the attack.
"China strongly condemns the activity to raid the UN peacekeeping post and urge Israel to carry out thorough investigation and apologize to China and the victim's families and coordinate with China to deal with the aftermath," Xinhau quoted Zhao as telling the Israeli ambassador.

I appluad China for having a pair and calling it like it really is. Let's list who else called Israel out: The Irish, Lebanon (obviously) and apparently more, while representatives from Europe, the Middle East and America met at an emergency meeting in Rome to try and solve the crisis. Many called for a cease fire, except two countries: The US and Britain. Yup, the same two countries who have not made a peep about the UN being under attack, and have backed Israel more than 100% on all of this. In fact, there will be no call for peace until stability is reached in Lebanon. Nevermind both sides - Lebanon needs to get it's act together, and if not, well, more people are going to die and there's nothing we're going to do about it.

I fear for the future of the UN. I don't think it's impossible for it to succeed or do a great job in the world, but the fact is, whatever power they have or want people to have is quickly fading. This is supposed to be a world force, intented to keep peace and strive for order. Yet they are often ignored, especially the last four years, and constantly undermined if the US (and Britain) have a different agenda (Hello Iraq!). Now, they come under obvious and intentional attack (and if you still agree it was an accident, I've got no patience left for you, this post anyway) and still they cannot/do not do anything about it. It's cliche to say history repeats itself, but it's also really true. I don't want to make a direct comparison as of yet, but I'd like to point out the League of Nations, because I can't shake it from my mind this week. The precussor to the UN, the League was formed after WWI to keep the peace and ensure violence and terror never broke out on a world scale again. The organization failed because they were ignored by key players and tyrants hell bent on keeping their own agenda (basically). The UN was formed to take their place and fix those mistakes, but as this week in the Mid-East shows, or hell, any number of large events the past four to eight years, one cannot help but begin to worry and question the credibility, and future, of the organization. Or maybe I've got it all wrong and I'm just overly concerned about nothing.


PS: Seriously, stop saying this wasn't Israel's fault and they're just defending themselves. They are NOT victims here, they are NOT within their means to defend themselves, and they are NOT within the bounds of international law. They started this mess and they're taking full advantage of it. Come to terms already, or shut up. Because you just look like a tool for the mass media and Bushites otherwise.

Observation

I'd love to say I've received a tremendous amount of feedback on my last blogging effort, but, well, I haven't. Zero comments on here, and three in the real world. One, offering shock and anger, a "How could you" attitude from an uninformed, and unfortunately biased, old Jewish friend of mine. Another, from someone out to show they do care about the news of the world by expressing how they do pay attention and would love to discuss it and blah blah, and finally one tremendously positive friend with nothing short of praise.

**Tear** He keeps me going, he does.

And of course, I've got no qualms with someone being upset over my political or informational stance. Yes, it could be argued that it was highly opinionated, which may be true, but one thing it's not is biased. Conspiracy theories, they can be more easily argued as biased or "you're off your rocker get a life kid" categorized, but that's why I've kept that from the forefront of this new, informational form of blogging (For now...) And of course, I'd never think less of a person for their opinions or reactions, as all I can do is maintain a friendship or relationship or whatever and just continue to try to educate those misguided souls (Kidding.....kinda)

Anyway, I was going to make a much more light-hearted, college living oriented post following the Israel one, but, well, the world is just too bloody and potentially capable of being tipped on its head right now for me to just ignore it. Or maybe it's because the internet put me in a bad mood and these news bytes pissed me off. Either way, random notes below:

Welcome to Operation Iraq: Civil War. If you think we're doing okay over there, stop. If you think the casualties are as low as the government tells you, enough. If you think we're ever going to stablize the mess we've created and get out of there peacefully and respectfully, please, pass me the drug you're smoking, because it ain't medicinal chief. We've destroyed Iraq. Plain and simple. People can still kind of argue about why we went in or what purpose the invasion served, or hell, if it was even legal (Lack of UN support, invasion of a foriegn and soverign land without cause or provocation or PROOF, lies, etc) but the one, undeniable fact right now is the fact we've lost. And no, we didn't just loose the fight, we've lost everything. We've lost control of the ground (Which we probably never had in the first place, for long). We've lost control of the North to the point where Turkey is getting so pissed off at the milita wrecking havoc there that they are now coming to the table with potentially violent reprocussions towards them, and the US, if action isn't taken. The rest of the region is so ridiculously destablized it's difficult to decide where to begin. Surely not with the idea of a government that people hoped would be in our 'corner' and support Israel as a state, and promote 'democracy' in the region, because, NEWS FLASH, the new Iraqi Parliament UNANIMOUSLY condemned all this Israeli violence and called on the UN. Whoops. But hey that's okay right, because at least innocent people aren't dying! This is a war on terror, and we're getting those terrorists! Yeah, except the, uh, small amount of people killed in the past two months alone.

Let's pause for a moment. Speaking for myself and those I know, and probably most people on this planet, it's hard to comprehend one death. Or two. Or ten. We lost 3000+ people on 9/11, and, honestly, I still cannot picture that many people in one room in my mind. 6000 people in two months. Six THOUSAND. Can you even begin to wrap your mind around that? No, didn't think so. But you think that's hard? Then brace yourself for this: 40,000. Yes. It's estimated now that roughly 40,000 people have been killed since 2003. And that's a LOW end number, because you can bet your bottom dollar all the deaths aren't reported. And the point? Not only have we lost troops (And I can bet you anything we're being lied to on a daily basis about how many of our boys aren't coming back) but people have lost interest. Iraq is mentioned maybe once or twice a day on the major news, if that. And it's in passing. Articles have grown short and passive, news reports seem off hand and dismissive, and all in all, the American people, spoon fed their media by 'reliable' and 'trusted' outlets like Fox, forget. And I don't blame anyone for that. Life is hard enough day by day to fine the time and patience to get coffee in the morning in the right, four flavored extra large cup people order, let alone to read the paper for the story buried on page eight about some no name, no faced people a world away dying because bombs went off course or, well, means way too gruesome to be mentioned here (or even believed). But they are. Daily. Entire families are being wiped out, for a cause that's lost all meaning, and by a people that have forgotten all about them. I'm as guilty as the rest, so I'm not looking to preach. But the situation is terrible, and to take time, even 10 minutes, to write about it, to keep passion and sympathy alive, well, maybe that'll do someone, somewhere, some good in the future.

- This wasn't meant to be an Iraqi based post, but by the time I was finished I had a huge entry, and people's attention spans are short enough as it is. There are more headlines, including the blood raining down in the skys of Lebanon and so on and so forth. But I think this is enough for now. Oh, and for those of you who think, hey, it could be worse, you're right. You could be this guy.

Aww, crap....

Israel = Bad

Let it be known from here on out that I am not anti-anything. Sure, it's fun to joke about people, but at the end of the day, I've got no real beef with whites, blacks, Jews, Muslims, whatever. So now then, when I sit here and tell you that not only do I think Israel is bad but is, in fact, full of some of the worst people to ever grace this planet, well then, try your hardest not to color me an Anti-Semite.


Because, kids, Israel is bad news.

It's hard enough to talk to most people my age about the news. Most just don't care or aren't interested unless it directly, and instantly, effects them. It's a bit easier to discuss conspiracy theories, like those surrounding JFK, Martin Luthor King or, more recently and far more pressing, 9/11. But even those discussions quickly fizzle out if they go anywhere at all, partly for the reason stated above, but mostly because the new generations just don't care. The possibility of the government orchestrating a plot to kill thousands of Americans and launch into a false flag operation? Meh. 1500+ soliders dead in Iraq qithout a legitamate reason to even be fighting? *Shrug* Gasoline prices incredibly high, with no end to the increase in sight? Hmph. An increase in New Jersey sales tax by a business man ill-suited to be governor in an incredibly corrupt state? *Yawn* Nothing gets done because no one cares enough to do anything about it. And yet this does not make me any less angry or irritated that Israel gets away with murder in the Middle East and few even blink in their direction.

Cold. Blooded. Murder.

I won't bore you with the conspiracy theories about Zionists being in all the major governments, or Israel really being the force that runs the US behind the scenes. But I will say that they have begun waging war on two fronts, on two different peoples, without any real justification. Sure, the 'official' story wants people to believe Israel is responding to Lebanon crossing their border and killing and capturing soldiers. Right. Let's ignore everything else and just look at the timing here. Israel, currently bombing the SHIT out of Palestine, and with rumors of new (and illegal) weapons being used to utterly destroy people (apparently also in Lebanon), along with Israel invading and capturing Palestinian leadership (again, without proovable cause), seems like an odd time to start pissing Israel off. And this response by Israel is massive and, some say, unprecedented in its quickness and fury. Lebanon has been fighting back, of course, but this battle seems a bit more than one sided. So without cause, without reason (officially), Israel goes in and begins taking land and killing people, innocent women and children as much if not more than soldiers.

And not only does the world say nothing, but our country, thanks to our president, offers full support to Israel. Hell, we even stop the United Nations from ordering a cease-fire in this conflict. Wha?!!? Oh yes, rather than saying, "Both of you, knock it off and stop the killing. It's time to talk." we instead get, "Well, deal. Israel has the right to blow you off the planet. Shouldn't have capturered their soldiers. Proof? What proof - they said it happened like that, so it did'"

Israel has a past. It's dark. It's dangerous. And it's full of blood. A blog post over at Daily Kos has put together an extensive list of some of the bullshit Israel has pulled, and some of the atrocities it has committed. You can find that here.

And the future? Who knows. Gas prices will probably go up, if not sky rocket. And already people are twisting this into somehow being the fault of Syria and Iran. Does Iran being name dropped make your ears go up? It should; and it should bring back memories of the bullshit shit storm we all got sucked into when we were built up to war with Iraq. Make no mistake; as much reason as Lebanon would have to not just randomly capture troops, Iran would have absolutely ZERO brains to be remotely involved in this. People in power are just waiting for an excuse to march in and destablize Iran with military attacks. Iran is in the news every other day. They're fighting their own battle just to be recognized and to do their own thing with energy and the like. But, according to these guys, Iran is probably more than involved. But Iran is a story for another day.

The bloodshed is going to continue, and could get much worse if Israel makes the mistake of attacking Syria, let alone anyone else. But do they care? Probably not. Because they know any major offensive against them and guess who's going to come running into save the day. Does it matter to them that 25,000 Americans live in Lebanon at any given time? Are they concerned that 8 Canadian's have already been killed in their intensive bombing campaign?

No, they don't. Because, look at it like this, if they're gonna deliberately shoot at these guys, then what's to stop them from shooting at anyone else? ANYONE else.....

RIP John Frazza

Along with the rest of the Ramapo College community, I was saddened to learn of the death of fellow senior John Frazza. I didn't really know John, well, at all, but I know people who did. And they know people who were very, very close with him. And my heart goes out to them, his family, and everyone else.


This isn't an entry dedicated to him, because I didn't know him. But Anton did a wonderful write up on the entire situation, and his thoughts actually echo a lot of what I would have written. (You can find his blog on the right hand sidebar of mine) So instead, this is for anyone who has lost someone, or anyone lost at such a tragic time, a prime in life. It's always depressing when someone so young leaves our world, and it's always an indication that mortality is not to be taken for granted.


All the best to everyone.

Various Shite

- We've begun a game called assassin at Ramapo this summer. The basic premise for round one was 20ish people got together, pulled names out of a hat, and had to kill whoever they pulled. Killing can be done by Nerf or Water gun, by poisoning someone's drink *IE, placing a piece of tape on the bottom of a cup or bottle that say's "UR DEAD"* or by bombing their laptop or cell phone *Piece of paper, slipped into the appliance, BOOM* and so on. A ton of killings happened the first night, none of which I wish to discuss here (You can check them out at the Assassin Blog) and lessons learned from this first round will be applied to round 2, kicking off Wednesday. Dan and I are kinda sorta running the game together, and it's pretty fun, so long as I can maintain his attention to it ^_^ - and let no one doubt for a second, round two will be mine, or, if we have teams, mine and the ODSTs (Orbital Drop Shock Troopers)

- Italy wins the world cup. Huzzah for them. Like I said on a message board elsewhere, analysts are saying that they were outplayed by France and shouldn't have won. Plus they booted the MVP after they talk shit to him and he headbutts one of the I-its in the chest. Hey, I don't know much about soccer, and I won't cheapen the win (any more) but what DOES irk me is all of these people coming out of the wood work as sudden soccer fans/proud Italians. "Woo, we rock/an excuse to party for four years/FORZA ITALIA" - give me a break. As a fan of a particular team, sure, but when something like this suddenly sparks pride in people, pride they should have had all along, it's kinda shitty. I mean, in a month all of these people are going right back to their normal lives. Look, being Italian in America didn't matter more than being Irish/Jewish/whatever a month ago, and it's not going to matter a month from now. I don't know where I was going with this originally, but, uh.....I'mIrish. Fuck yeah!

- Being a wrestling fan is finally fun again. The 'sport', which skyrocketted in popularity in the late 90's/early 2000s and then came back down to reality again, isn't something you can usually go around bragging about. And yet, for the first time in my life, I've got a reliable *sort of* group of people I can talk to about it, and people who come over on Monday nights to watch it with me. Granted, the product is just a horrible shadow of the former greatness it was, but that doesn't matter to me. I've always found the good in the show and I probably always will. I love it; its one of like, three things I've ever been consistently passionate and interested in for most of my life (Gaming and movies being two others - maybe writing) and I really look forward to at least one of the three shows every week. When we go to the super show at the end of the month, it's going to be a hell of a night.

- Finally, on a bit more personal update note, I've discovered some key aspects of my personality that I was not fully aware of. You see, I went into 'retirement' as I jokingly say, this summer from women and beer. Beer as a dietary thing, women for a self-retrospective thing. And that was all fine and good, as I wanted to focus on myself, along with figuring myself out. I thought I was past a large part of my Anna situation and had a clean slate going forward. Well, I don't. Someone came along and put a big kabosh on that plan. No details, because they're scary, annoying, anger inducing and saddening all at the same time. Needless to say, I am no where near the healed, move forward emotional level I thought I was, and, though I am a relationship person by nature (And a frat boy - I know) I am not at the point where I can devote myself to any new, meaningful relationship right now. Or in the immeditate future. Wounds that should have healed long ago are actually still very open, so that process is still ongoing. May have hurt someone in the process, but I try to be on the level, and I was very mature, honest and everything about it. And that's all I can do - like I said, I'd rather say something now then get involved with someone and hurt em/end things in 2 weeks or 2 months anyway.

Lots of lessons learned this summer, and some serious memories and experiences gained so far with all kinds of new friends. But, it's 5:04, work is over, and the gym is calling. So I'm out for now.....and hey, I'm on the update level of Anton right now, which is just awsm, yo!